Rugby: Joseph taking it one game at a time

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Do not talk playoffs.

Do not talk bonus points.

And do not talk about new players or Australian conferences.

It may be a cliche but Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is not looking any further than the next game - this Saturday night at Carisbrook when his side plays the cellar-dwelling Lions.

"We simply have to concentrate on playing one game at a time or we'll just burst our bubble. We are very much a team than can only do that," Joseph said.

"The Lions are going to be a very difficult opponent because they are playing a little bit differently. Their season is over so they are chancing their arm a little bit more. They are very abrupt at set piece and very confrontational as is the nature of the South Africans. They can throw it around a bit and I think that is the influence of their new coaches."

The Lions are coached by New Zealanders John Mitchell and Carlos Spencer.

The Highlanders come together today after 10 days off and Joseph said there was positive news on the injury front, though availability would not be confirmed until later in the week.

Second five-eighth Shaun Treeby appeared to be over the knee injury he suffered in the hammering of the Rebels more than a month ago.

Key loose forward Adam Thomson was better after injuring ribs in the loss to the Chiefs on May 7 and winger Siale Piutau has also made some good progress after straining his groin in the same match.

Tony Brown is still hindered by his hamstring injury while Joseph said Kurt Baker would not be playing this season as he is yet to start any contact work.

First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga would be available for the next couple of games before he leaves with the New Zealand Under-20 side for the world junior championships in Italy.

With four games left and the side sitting in play-off contention in sixth spot, Joseph said that at this stage of the season it was both a mental and a physical challenge.

"I'm genuinely hoping the guys can get excited for these next block of games. We'll have two home games and then a trip to Sydney followed by a game against the Blues, and after that game here which really hurt us, that is going to be a big one.

"This is the first time in years that we have the opportunity to be part of finals rugby. If they [players] cannot get going for that, then what can [they get excited about]?" he said

As for commenting that the teams in the New Zealand conference were playing war while teams in the Australian conference were playing schoolboy stuff, Joseph said he did not say that, and had been misquoted.

"I said conference rugby is tough and it is tough everywhere, including games in Australia. The games between the Reds and the Waratahs - they are some of my favourite games.

"It was disappointing for me that it came out that way as I'm speaking for the team, the franchise and the whole people of this region."

The Highlanders were linked last week with All Black backs Ma'a Nonu and Hosea Gear but Joseph said it was news to him that the franchise was attempting to sign the star duo.

"We are recruiting but that is priority two. The thing is, all players are contracted to the New Zealand union and there are five teams who are all fighting for players so it is a pretty competitive market."

He did envisage players leaving after the World Cup throughout New Zealand teams but was not looking too far ahead.

"We've got a bit behind us now so we need to put a programme in place for Saturday just to bag the four points. We're not thinking about bonus points."

 

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